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stæf. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
stæf, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
stæf in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
stæf you have here. The definition of the word
stæf will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
stæf, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Middle English
Noun
stæf
- (Early Middle English) Alternative form of staf
Old English
Etymology
From Proto-Germanic *stabaz, whence also Old High German stab, Old Norse stafr.
Pronunciation
Noun
stæf m (nominative plural stafas)
- staff
- (grammar) letter, written character
- c. 992, Ælfric, "Midlent Sunday"
On ōðre wīsan wē sċēawiaþ mētinge and on ōðre wīsan stafas. Ne gǣþ nā māre tō mētinge būtan þæt þū hit ġesēo and herie. Nis nā ġenōg þæt þū stafas sċēawiġe būtan þū hīe ēac rǣde and þæt andġiet understande.- We look at pictures in one way and letters in another. You don't do anything with a painting except see it and praise it. Looking at letters is not enough unless you also read them and understand the meaning.
Declension
Declension of stæf (strong a-stem)
Synonyms
Derived terms
Descendants